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Streamer Advice / Recommendation for Denafrips R2R DAC

I really could use some help / recommendations on the choice of a streamer.  Here's where I am in my research:
I've decided on a Denafrips Pontus DAC (R2R) because of it's sound characteristics (musical while maintaining definition).  It is within my budget, while the Terminator is not.

My current thinking is I need a streamer that does not have memory, amplification or a DAC on board.  I will use the streamer-DAC pairing to listen to music in a AVR / Music setup: Denon AVR3700H (105 watts) connected to a Rotel 1590 power amp through the Denon precouts.  Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 (left right) speakers.  Bowers & Wilkins 802 center channel (power connection by Denon amp)  SVS and Yamaha powered subwoofers. When used for streaming Netflix it's a 7.2 setup.

For streaming music I listen to the usual list of suspect: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify.  In it's current setup, the system is too bright and harsh.  Speaker placement is in the room from acoustic hell: rectangular 15' x 45' with the front/ center channel speakers facing the narrow width (unfortunately by necessity and I'm in the process of adding reflection panels to cover 15% of the room.

I am determined to achieve music that does not wear me out after a couple of hours listening: well produced electronic music / R&B  / piano jazz.  I like midrange dominance but without too much detail in the +8k hz.

I learned to budget more for the DAC than the streamer, but most of the streamers I've looked at are combo amp/hard drive/DAC or they have networking into multi rooms. The  Auralic Aries G2.1  is out of my budget by about $2,500 (at 5,100 US), Willing to pay more for great sound but am unsure the streamer makes that much of a difference than the DAC.

Advice? Setup Recommendations?



pmreagan2

Showing 3 responses by soix

soix
10,015 posts
 
Since your Denon has preouts, all you’d need to do is connect the front L/R preouts from the Denon to an input of your choice (or HT Bypass if it has one) on the stereo preamp and that’s pretty much it. Choose that input on the stereo pre when you’re doing HT and another input when listening to streamer, CD player, etc. That’s really all there is to it, and the AVR will be completely out of the signal path when listening in 2-channel.

One potentially very elegant and effective solution in your situation would be something like the Audio gd R28 preamp/DAC available at Underwood HiFi for only $1500. Not only would this get you a good stereo preamp but also a very good discrete R2R DAC that probably has sound characteristics very similar to the Pontus. Not sure, but Underwood may offer a trial period that’d obviously be very helpful. Add in ProJect Stream Box and for about $2400 total you’re all done and your stereo performance will be transformed. If I’m you this is what I’d do, and I think it’ll bring big improvements in tonality, musicality, soundstage, and overall refinement compared to what you’re hearing now. Again, FWIW.
soix
10,015 posts
 
So I’m thinking Auralic Aries G1 feeding Denafrips Pontus is worth the money over budget.
Not if you’re feeding it into the Denon. Feeding that nice, high-end signal into an AVR is like putting crappy tires on a Porsche — it largely defeats/undermines the purpose (and expense), unless you’re planning on adding a good stereo preamp down the road. OK, I’ve now repeated myself to emphasize the point and will do so no more. Do what you will.

soix
10,015 posts
 
+1 @jjss49 — IMHO you’re wasting your $ on the Pontus if you’re feeding it into the Denon.  Its highly inadequate preamp section will suck most of the goodness out of any good DAC.  If you’re serious about better 2-channel you need a good stereo preamp you can hook the Pontus and the front L/R preouts of the Denon into (bypassing the Denon entirely for 2-channel listening), otherwise your stereo performance will be bottlenecked by the AVR and the streamer won’t make a bit of difference.  Sorry if this is a bit harsh, but your next purchase really needs to be a good stereo preamp to do the Pontus justice, then maybe something like the ProJect Stream Box to handle streaming.  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 
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